SHILLONG, Mar 8 – Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma today criticised Meghalaya Government for alleged failure to address water crisis at Tura, the headquarters of West Garo Hills district.

Agatha had asked the chief secretary to immediately take steps to restore water supply to this western town of the State.

Tura, located 340 km west of Shillong, with a population of more than five lakh, is the headquarters of Garo Hills Division comprising three districts – West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills.

Agatha’s brother, Leader of Opposition in State Assembly, Conrad K Sangma, also met the chief engineer, Public Health Engineering department on the issue.

Residents of Tura are facing acute drinking water shortage for the past two weeks owing to a mechanical failure, officials said.

The District Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said, “Steps will be taken to solve the water crisis. Fire brigade water tanks will be sought to ferry water to the residents.